On this day in 1957 nine black students who were the first such in Little Rock were forced to withdraw because of the white mob outside, who I'll bet they were uttering educated phrases. In a recent letters to the editor section I noticed comments on an article concerning a girl with cerebral palsy being bullied at school; the parents of the bullies and school administration were rather passive. I think some of society has learned over the years but as to the diligence---wretched use of the word, arrest me again---of the opposition is appalling.

I have had the utter displeasure of being around those who claim the 09/11/01 attacks were divine revenge for "tolerating" homosexuality, along with other "reasons". During the 1990's I read of agents of the FBI replacing black colleagues' pictures of the latter's children on desks with those of apes. The same FBI which, indulging yet more personal snit fits, wasn't communicating with the CIA about things collected on the eventual 9/11 perpetrators. There was a political cartoon after the attacks of a boxing ring in which gloved Uncle Sam is facing an opposite corner of swirling murk representing "whatever" brought this on. I think this murk better represents religious faith. Oh, we know so much; "we" knew of people who wanted to fly, not take off or land planes.

The din over the sins of this nation rattles this keyboard but it is better to swell one's eye sockets over, for instance, abortion. Bullies? One must be tough. One must be a------rugged individual! Just like the individuals who hide in zero disciplined mobs, behind Saint Paul and other filth.

Okay, let's let the circle dine on itself. You want to know what really bothers me? Truly pinches my skin like the missing link daring me to fight back?

Those who grin and say, "Tell us what's really bothering you, Dan?" Even professed liberals just lecturing anyone within reach on this low-brow nation. People like my sainted alpha brother who once lectured me on the importance of voting for McGovern a scant few years after beating up a Hollywood homosexual with several other football players, only a few years later to shrug his brief progressive stance off with, "It's all bad, I'm voting [packy derm]." In childhood, I'd talk about the scarred burn victim harassed in our neighborhood and he'd crack up at me: "Awww! Poor thing."

I know, it was childhood, but childhood still feels close.

From oh so many sources.